Electrically lighted ornament



June 26, 1962 R. H. ERLEWINE EI'AL ELECTRICALLY LIGHTED ORNAMENT Filed May 28, 1959 Mm W E [m N M R 0 MM 17 0S H km 1 United States Patent Filed May 28, 1959, Ser. No. 816,539 2 Claims. (Cl. 240-10) This invention relates generally to festive, decorating devices and in particular to relatively massive, electrically lighted ornaments for use in Christmas decorating or the The ornamental device of the present invention is intended for use primarily as a component of a festive decorative scheme for department store interiors and the like. The construction and wiring, however, are such that the device may also be used in exterior displays. Fundamentally the device includes an aluminum frame having longitudinal and transverse members which support flexible elements or cords disposed around the framework to form, in effect, a cage-like structure. Within the cage-like structure are mounted electric lamps which may be of various colors. Supported on the cords are garlands of light reflecting material, such as burnished aluminum foil, the garlands being formed and disposed so as to provide a light-reflecting outer surface for the cage structure. The garland covered structure is enclosed within a transparent, rigid housing having a configuration generally corresponding to that of the framework. The housing is preferably formed of mating sections of high-gloss celulose acetate butyrate. With the interiorly disposed lamps energized, the over-all effect is that of a massive, sparkling, jewel-like ornament. The tinsel-effect producing garlands are encased within a transparent housing whereby the tinsel material is protected from crushing, dirt accumulation and the like. Decorative devices embodying the present invention can thus be used as focal points for developing decorative pl-ans over, for example, a three to five year period, rather than a single season plan as required with unprotected tinsel effect ornaments.

The primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a decorative device which provides an unusually striking decorative effect, is rugged and light in weight, and which is characterized by a protected tinsel effect permitting storage and re-use over several decorating seasons.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a decorative device of the type referred to which is suitable for both interior and exterior use and which can be fabricated and assembled at relatively low cost.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following de scription and claims:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device with the housing removed.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the upper portion of the housing.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the method of attaching certain components of the device.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, detailed view of the garland component.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the decorating device of the present invention comprises a frame which includes a central longitudinal member and spaced transverse members 11, 12 and 13, the member 12 being appreciably shorter in length than the members 11 and 13. Extending transversely from the member 12 are additional transverse elements 14 and 16, the elements 14 and 16 being rigidly secured to the member 12 by any suitable means such as metal stitching, as indicated at 17. Metal stitched to the transverse members 11 and 13 are additional transverse elements 18, 19, 21 and 22. The members and elements making up the framework just described are preferably formed of aluminum, but might also be formed of any other material having suitable strength, weight and Weather resisting characteristics.

Disposed about the framework are elongated flexible elements, preferably taking the form of nylon cords 23, the cords extending generally lengthwise of the central member 10. The cords are supported by passing through apertures disposed adjacent the free ends of the members and elements making up the framework and are drawn somewhat taut to thereby form a two-lobe, cage-like structure. Within the cage-like structure are disposed a plurality of electrically energized lamps 26. The lamps are supported by socket brackets 27 which are rigidly attached to the framework elements. The lamps may be of different colors and are interconnected by wiri-ng (not shown) which terminates in the electrical input cord 28 shown in FIG. 1.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, a continuous garland 29 of light reflecting and dispersing material is wrapped about the cage-like structure, the garland being fastened to the cords at spaced points by such means as staples 31. As may be seen in FIG. 5, the garland is preferably formed of two-ply aluminum foil strips indicated at 32, each marginal area of the strip being fringed as indicated at 33, and the central, web portion of the strip being pro-- vided with a strengthening nylon tape 34 attached thereto by stitching or other suitable means. The garland fringe area is given a curved burnished configuration by passing the garlands across a rotating bufling Wheel. The finished garland is thus provided with randomly extending highly light-reflective fringe, as will be evident from FIG. 4.

The garlands may be conveniently applied to the cagelike structure by clamping opposite ends of the member 10 on rotating centers indicated diagrammatically at 36 in FIG. 4. With the structure rotating at a convenient speed, the garlands may be applied to the cords and stapled thereto at intervals by a hand-held stapler. The garland or garlands are placed on the cords so that the extending garland fringe prevents substantially all direct transmission of light from the interior of the structure.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the garlanded structure is enclosed within an outer housing formed of mating, thin-walled sections 37 and 38. The line of junction of the sections is outwardly flanged as indicated at 39 and at least a portion of the flanged junction is enclosed by a downturned flange extension 41 (FIG. 3). The housing sections are joined by means of bolts 42 which extend through the section flanges and through appropriate apertures 43 in the framework members. The extending ends of the central member 10 may be reversely bent and riveted to provide a loop 44 adapted to carry a hanger 46, the hangers providing a means for suspending the structure from a suitable support.

The housing sections may be formed of any suitable material having high gloss, high transparency and good weather resisting characteristics. The material preferred for fabricating the housing sections is clear, high-gloss cellulose acetate butyrate, the desired contour of the housing being formed by extrusion. As indicated at 47 in FIGS. 1 and 3, the housing is provided with an outwardly stepped configuration at both of its end areas and is provided with an inwardly convergent configuration at its central area, the contour of the housing thus generally corresponding to the contour of the framework.

With the lamps within the completed assembly energized, the transparent, glossy housing and the light reflecting garland surfaces provide a striking visual elfect, and the diffusion and multiple reflection of the light emitted by the lamps giving the device a sparkling, jewellike appearance.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the decorating device described is relatively light and sturdy, even when of relatively massive dimensions. The striking visual efiect results from the disposition and multiple reflectivity of the garlands and it will be evident that it is not dependent upon the precise contour of the housing and framework. Thus, housings having differing configurations from that described might be used while retaining the over-visual efiect of the described structure.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail in the drawings and foregoing description, they are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, asmodifications may readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art and within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

l. A decorating device comprising an aluminum frame including a central longitudinal member and spaced transverse members of various axial length supported thereon, flexible cords extending generally lengthwise of said central member and supported on said transverse members adjacent their free ends to form a cage-like structure, electrically energized lamps of various colors mounted on said frame members within the cage-like structure and spaced from each other both vertically and horizontally, multi-surfaced light reflecting means supported on said cords, said reflecting means comprising a garland of fringed, burnished aluminum foil having curved fringe strands, said garland being spaced on said cords so as to substantially prevent the direct transmission of unreflected light through the cage-like structure, an exterior housing enclosing said structure, saidhousing being formed of mating sections of high-gloss, cellulose acetate butyrate, and means for suspending said decorating device from a support, whereby said device appears as a multi-colored, dispersed light emitting body.

2. A decorating device comprising an aluminum frame including a central longitudinal member and spaced transverse members of various axial length supported thereon, flexible cords extending generally lengthwise of said central member and supported on said transverse members adjacent their free ends to form a cage-like structure, electrically energized lamps of various colors mounted on said frame members within the cage-like structure and spaced from each other both vertically and horizontally, multi-surfaced light reflecting means supported on said cords, said reflecting means comprising a garland of fringed, burnished aluminum foil having curved fringe strands, said garland being spaced on said cords so as to substantially prevent the direct transmission of unreflected light through the cage-like structure, an exterior housing enclosing said structure, said housing being formed of mating sections of high-gloss, clear transparent cellulose acetate butyrate, and means for suspending said decorating device from a support, whereby said device appears as a multi-colored, dispersed light emitting body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 744,348 Hurst Nov. 17, 1903 1,543,424 Cowles June 23, 1925 2,309,977 Peroni Feb. 2, 1943 2,414,866 Glaser Jan. 28, 1947 2,864,192 Shoalts Dec. 16, 1958 

